“Jesus announces to us that God is not an idea or an abstract doctrine, but God is the one who ‘contaminates’ himself with our human woundedness and is not afraid to come into contact with our wounds,” the pope said.

The restrictions include church closures. Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Iraq March 5-8, and he has events planned in churches each day.

"[Vatican II] is the magisterium of the church. Either you are with the church and therefore you follow the council, or if you do not follow the council or you interpret it in your own way, as you wish, you are not with the church."

"I am the pastor of people who are suffering," Pope Francis said.

The first 25 shelter residents were vaccinated Jan. 20, the Vatican said, and more will be given the vaccine in the coming days.

For a variety of reasons, “especially in relation to the political situation” in the United States, the Legionaries of Christ university in Rome will not honor Father Frank Pavone.

Pope Francis called on Christians to practice what they preach, including by guaranteeing equal access to health care for all people.

The Legionaries of Christ university in Rome plans to honor Father Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life, with its “A Life for Life” award.

Recognizing “the gifts of each baptized person”—women and men—Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.

Peace, he insisted, is a gift that requires a human response and human effort.